Media Tools and Tips

Reporters who submit open records requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) do not necessarily need an attorney to file an appeal with an agency that rejects the journalist’s application. iFoia.org is a free, easy-to-use online resource that helps reporters create FOIA requests and deliver it to the right agency. It manages and tracks…

If sourcing a story is like casting a movie, experts are like celebrities. They can impart gravity and credibility and eloquence that the facts can’t on their own. They can boost ticket sales. But finding the right expert is easier said than done. Subject-matter experts, like celebrities, don’t pick up the phone for everyone. But…

Fact: Being a journalist isn’t easy. With the immediacy of the news cycle – and brevity many times being championed over deep reporting – reporters are asked to turn around attention-grabbing, consumable stories faster than ever. Luckily, with the advent of chat apps and other newsroom-centered tools, mobile phones can act as a reporter’s Swiss Army knife to…

Deadline. That single word can strike both fear and excitement in journalists at any stage of their career. Whether you’re fresh out of college or a seasoned veteran, you know the trials and tribulations that come with a deadline. One of the hardest things to cover on deadline is a live-sporting event where the stakes…

A website that allows users to create explainer videos and animated presentation decks tops my list of online video editing tools for which I’m thankful. Without it, ProfNet would likewise be without the video below (which explains to journalists how they can use our free query service to search for experts): If you’re looking for a few…

It was a case of “come for the speech, stay for the spectacle,” at last year’s State of the Union address. From President Barack Obama’s #YesWeTan suit controversy to the “time traveling” energy secretary, there was no shortage of entertainment on Twitter. But with a whopping 2.6 million tweets sent worldwide related to the address,…

The chasm that exists between the newsroom and advertising departments is as old as time. Few things bridge the gap. But messaging app Slack comes close. Slack rooms, bots, or channels ultimately are built around conversations – and efficiency. And as much as Slack is simple, it can get pretty complicated. Already, the platform has…